Archaeological sites in southern Iraq have been systematically looted for over two years, but experts say the dig will have to go much deeper to find out where thousands of lost artefacts have ended up. Experts say it may be years before the riddle is solved. The artefacts are surprisingly absent from the ever-hungry illegal market.

What is known is the breadth of looting, with satellite images showing ancient sites turned into chessboards of square-shaped holes. The focus has also concentrated on the smugglers of such artifacts. Archaeologist Abdal Amir Hamdani, in charge of antiquities for Dhi Qar province, home to some of Iraq's most famous archaeological sites uses what he calls a "hunting dog", a former looter turned paid informant, who follows up rumours and goes out with a digital camera and GPS equipment to locate and mark smugglers' houses. These expeditions often result in fruitful raids.

Source : http://abc.net.au